John Adams to Abigail Adams

[dateline] Paris 16 March 1780

[salute] My dear Portia

I have not particularly answered your amiable Letter of 10 Decr. Your tender Anxiety
distresses me, much: I hope your Faith however, has returned before now with your
Spirits. If Captain Trash arrived safe from Corunna you have heard from me, or if
Babson from Bilboa.

Your delicate Charles is as hardy as a flynt. He sustains every thing better than
any of Us, even than the hardy Sailor his Brother. He is a delightful little fellow.
I love him too much. My fellow Travellers too are very well. Mr. D[ana']s head ack is perfectly cured—not a groan nor a wry look.

There are some ladys, one at least that can never be odious, by Sea nor Land, yet
she would have been miserable in both if she had been with me. The Governor of Gallicia
told me I risqued a great deal to bring my two [sons]1 with me, but I should have risqued my All if I had brought you.

We have a calm at present: no News from America, nor from any other Quarter since
the long Roll of Rodneys successes, which have made the English very saucy for the
Moment, but this will not last long.

Captain Carpenter of the Cartel ship has been here from London and dined with me yesterday.
They took his ship from him, and refused the Exchange of Prisoners. Thus ill natured
are they. The Refugees, according to him are in bad Plight, not having received their
Pensions these 18 Months, which are detained on some Pretence of waiting for Funds
from Quebec. Yet they console themselves with the Thought that America cannot hold
out another six Months. Thus { 306 } Whally and Goffe expected Deliverance, Glory and Tryumph every day by the Commencement
of the Millenium, but died without seeing it.2 Governor Hutchinsons son Billy died in London about 3 Weeks ago.3

John Adams to Isaac Smith Sr.

[dateline] Paris Hotel de Valois, Ruë de Richelieu March 16. 1780

[salute] Sir

I duly received your Favour of December the 12, and thank you for your Attention to
the Widows, whose Letters came safe by the same Conveyance.1 The Way of Spain is a very good one to send light Letters containing any interesting
Intelligence, but large Packetts mount the Postage so high as to make it too heavy.
The Method of cutting out from Newspapers interesting Paragraphs, and inclosing them,
would do well. The loose Leaves of the Journals of Congress, recent ones I mean, I
should be glad to have in this and all other Ways.

When I was in Spain I formed an Acquaintance with Mr. Michael Lagoanere of Corunna,
a Merchant of the best Character, most extensive Business, and first Fortune in that
Place. If your Vessells should ever touch at Corunna or Ferrol, or Vigo even, they
cannot be addressed to a better Man. I also became acquainted with the House of Joseph
Guardoqui and Sons, who will take the best Care of any Letters or Papers that may
be sent to me, and will send any Thing Mrs. Adams may want of small amount and draw
upon me for the Money, at Paris.

My respects to Mrs. Smith, Mrs. Gray and your son and Miss Betcy,2 I say Mrs. Gray alone because I fear by your Letter Mr. Gray is no more.3

I dont know whether this Letter will go by Mr. Brown, a young Gentleman who has been
here some time, from America, or by the Viscount de Noailles. The latter is one of
the most illustrious young Noblemen in this Kingdom, full of military Ardour and the
most amiable Dispositions, in short fit to be as he is the Brother of the Marquis
de la Fayette. Mr. Izzard also and Mr. Lee are going to Bos• { 307 } ton, where I hope they will be treated with all the Respect that is due to their well
known Characters. I am, sir, with great Respect, your most obt.

1. Smith's letter of 12 Dec. 1779 and the letters of “the Widows” it enclosed have not
been found.

2. Elizabeth (1770–1849), youngest daughter of Isaac and Elizabeth (Storer) Smith; in 1813 she married Jonathan
P. Hall of Boston. See Adams Genealogy.

3. Mrs. Gray was Mary (or Polly), another daughter of the Smiths. In 1777 she married
Edward Gray, a Boston merchant, who died at the age of 29 in Dec. 1779; there is a
brief obituary of him in the Continental Journal, 23 Dec. 1779, p. 3, col. 2. In 1782 his widow married Samuel Allyne Otis. See vol.
2:356, above, and Adams Genealogy.